Today, November 8, marks the one year anniversary of when the Hillville fire jumped the Pacific Highway and impacted the small community of Rainbow Flat.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Unlike Forster, Tuncurry, Darawank and Hallidays Point during the fires that hit those communities in the days and weeks before, Rainbow Flat wasn't spared the full destructive force of the inferno that bore down on it.
Numerous homes were lost in the blaze and in a cruel twist, Rainbow Flat RFS, whose members fought to save the homes of so many in the area, was left without a station after it was burned to the ground.
In the wake of the flames, however, the community rallied and came together to help each other heal.
Twelve months on, the Great Lakes Advocate has spoken to members of the Rainbow Flat community about their memories of that time, from the brave firefighters who fought the flames to those who stayed back to protect their own homes to staff at the Rainbow Flat Service Station, which became the hub of the community during that period.
Their stories serve to highlight just how intense the Hillville fire was while at the same time showing the resilience and community spirit that has helped pull the town and its people through one of its darkest periods.
Thank you for valuing local journalism with your subscription. While you're with us, you can also receive updates straight to your inbox from the Great Lakes Advocate. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.